Colin Mason, Professor of Entrepreneurship in the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland

Colin is the Head of Department at the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, one of the UK's leading university-based centres of entrepreneurship education, research and outreach.

Colin's research and teaching interests are in the area of entrepreneurship and regional development. He teaches on new venture creation and entrepreneurial finance and participates in 'investment ready' workshops and his research is concerned with the availability of venture capital for entrepreneurial businesses. He has written extensively on the informal venture capital market, and has been closely involved with government and private sector initiatives to promote informal venture capital, both in the UK and elsewhere. He has recently been a member of the European Commission Expert Groups on Benchmarking Business Angels and Public Support for Risk Capital to Stimulate Private Investment in Innovation Oriented Research.

Bob Doherty BSc(Hons), PGDIPM CIM, MBA Senior Lecturer in Social Enterprise & Corporate Responsibility

Bob is a senior academic from the School of Management at Liverpool John Moores University. Prior to moving into academia in 2004 Bob spent nearly Five years as the first Head of Marketing at the innovative Fairtrade Social Enterprise The Day Chocolate Company. Prior to his chocolate experience Bob spent nine years in various commercial roles in the Global animal health Industry.

In addition to his academic work Bob is also a member of the new Co-operative Retail Group external Ethical Advisory Panel and is also Chair of the Liverpool Fairtrade City Steering Group.

Jenny Rutter, BSc, AC CIM Marketing Specialist

Jenny currently works as a Competitions Manager at UK Skills. UK Skills is an independent organisation that champions skills and learning through work. Her role is key in developing new regional and national competitions in skill areas across the UK, with an ultimate goal of driving up excellence in skills to a world class level.

Prior to working at UK Skills, Jenny has worked in research and communications roles. For three years she worked as a Conference Producer at a publishing company and then went to work for a communications agency specialising in Corporate Social Responsibility. At the agency she worked as a Project Manager managing cause related marketing and community liaison programmes for BT, Metronet Rail and BskyB.

In 1999 Jenny graduated in Environmental Science from the University of Southampton and has recently completed her Advanced Certificate of Marketing from the Chartered Institution of Marketing.

Clare Winteron, Communications Expert

Clare has over 10 years of nonprofit strategy and marketing experience including her role as Head of communications for Prince Charles' youth charity, The Prince's Trust, where she managed PR, media relations and marketing communications. She recently completed an MBA in international business from Cambridge University where she specialized in issues of non-profit strategy and leadership and is currently Director of Communications and Development for San Francisco based non-profit SFWorks. Clare has consulted on marketing and fundraising strategy for organizations including Craigslist Foundation and TransFair USA and is a Board member of Urban Solutions and Young Women Social Entrepreneurs.[/normal

Steve Adam, BSc, MSc. Economist

Steve is an Economist for the Department for Education & Skills (DfES). The Department was established with the purpose of creating opportunity, releasing potential and achieving excellence for all. His work is involved with a variety of analytical research projects across the Children, Young People & Families directorate.

Prior to joining DfES, Steve graduated from Nottingham Univeristy with a Masters degree in Economics & Development Economics.

Steve has worked in several investment management firms between 2000 and 2004, and he has undertaken a number of professional qualifications, including the Investment Management Certificate, the Investment Administration Qualification, and the Chartered Financial Analyst program.

Steve has travelled widely, and likes to play golf when not working!